Out of his oeuvre that consists of over sixty published novels, many consider The Stand to be Stephen King’s single greatest work. Originally published in 1978, the book chronicles the survivors of a deadly virus that has wiped out over 99% of the population. Those who remain begin having uncanny visions of either “Mother Abigail” or “Randall Flagg,” two dreamlike beings who represent the epitome of good and evil. With its labyrinthine take on moral warfare, The Stand is no less than a modern epic. Yet, each of its characters is unraveled with a painstaking degree of detail. How they all come together is what makes The Stand such a truly masterful work.

Due to the novel’s incredible popularity, with over 4.5 million copies sold, The Stand has seen many iterations over the years, each putting new spins on the series with varying degrees of success. ABC broadcasted an eponymous miniseries in 1994, which starred brat pack regulars Molly Ringwald and Rob Lowe, as well as the inimitable Ed Harris and Kathy Bates. In 2020, the miniseries was revamped for CBS with many modern additions; although chock-full of A-listers, from Whoopi Goldberg to Alexander Skarsgård, it was unfortunately only received with mixed reviews.

Right now, it is still under review whether The Stand will be renewed for a second season. Meanwhile, for another modern spinoff of the legendary series, here’s who we believe would make the perfect cast today.

9 Randall Flagg - Mads Mikkelsen

     Warner Bros. Pictures

There are few modern actors who exude evil as frighteningly and effortlessly as Mads Mikkelsen. From his stint on NBC’s Hannibal as Hannibal Lecter to his role as the nefarious sorcerer Kaecilius in Doctor Strange, Mikkelsen has perfected every iteration of evil that media has to offer us. The actor has even embraced Hollywood’s dependence on him as a villain, saying “I’ve been fortunate enough to play what I believe to be very different baddies.” It would be fascinating to see Mikkelsen’s take on Randall Flagg, as the character literally represents the emblem of all evil in the world. Which of his personas of the past would Mikkelsen decide to lean into, or would he craft something entirely new? Either way, the result is sure to be completely terrifying.

8 Mother Abigail - Angela Bassett

     Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Mother Abigail is a tough role to fill, as the demand for 108-year-old actresses in Hollywood is relatively slim. However, Angela Bassett would make an exceptional choice for the part, as she has proved herself to be an incredibly adaptable actress over her 40-year career. What makes Bassett so fitting for the role is that she has played both doting mothers and iconic leaders (sometimes a combination of both), two of the key traits that personify Mother Abigail. As seen through her work in Black Panther, as well as dating all the way back to Boyz N the Hood, Bassett can tap into both the maternal and the fierce at any given point.

7 Stu Redman - Mark Ruffalo

     Sony Pictures Classics

There are many sides to Stu Redman, one of The Stand’s three main protagonists; he starts off as a quiet, hardworking man from a fictitious town in Texas but quickly proves to be a resilient and inspirational leader as the moral war wages on. Mark Ruffalo’s talent as a versatile actor would make him perfectly suited for such a role, as he has played everyman characters and charismatic instigators alike. Although most known as the Hulk in the MCU, Ruffalo can give fantastic emotionally-driven performances, as seen in Foxcatcher, You Can Count On Me, and The Kids Are Alright. A role like Stu Redman would really let the more sentimental side of Ruffalo shine.

6 Frannie Goldsmith - Elizabeth Olsen

     HBO Max

Elizabeth Olsen would make the perfect choice for Frannie, as she has really come into her own over the past few years as a skillful and flexible actress. As shown on WandaVision, Olsen is capable of pulling off the complicated tonal mix between comedy and drama, something that is crucial for a young, dynamic character like Frannie. A role such as Frannie’s could also do a lot to bolster Olsen’s career. In 1994, Molly Ringwald was already at the peak of her fame, which led to Frannie’s character overshadowing some of the others on the show. Olsen would represent an intriguing new lead for the nuanced role.

5 Larry Underwood - Bill Skarsgård

     20th Century Studios

As shown through his roles in It, The Devil All the Time, Nine Lives, and anything else he takes part in, Bill Skarsgård is an incredibly charismatic actor, whether he’s hiding behind a face of makeup or not. He has the inevitable rock star look about him necessary for the role of Larry Underwood, along with the character’s sense of youthful, tortured charm. Skarsgård is accustomed to playing morally questionable characters, whether they be flawed or downright evil, so it would be a uniquely valuable experience to get to see him play the good guy here. Skarsgård could use his experience with evil characters in the past to really tap into Larry’s hedonism and deep sense of internal conflict.

4 Nick Andros - Timothée Chalamet

If Rob Lowe was the embodiment of Nick Andros in 1994, perhaps he’s passed that torch to Timothée Chalamet now. As a deaf-mute with a traumatic past, Andros has a unique influence over The Stand’s plot, always bringing the forces of good together in mesmerizing ways. Moreover, he is only twenty-two years old; Chalamet fits all of Nick’s qualities to a tee, both age-wise and beyond. He is subtle, intense, and clearly capable of some great facial acting.

3 Nadine Cross - Zoë Kravitz

     Warner Bros Pictures

Nadine is one of The Stand’s most complex and inscrutable characters, her motives never being entirely clear to readers, viewers, or even herself. Through an initial encounter with Larry Underwood, she originally allies with the forces of good, but is ultimately swept under Randall Flagg’s enticing influence. Zoë Kravitz would be a perfect match for Nadine as she has mastered the role of the enigma in turmoil, as shown in Crimes of Grindewald, The Batman, and Big Little Lies.

2 Harold Lauder - Will Poulter

     Gravitas Ventures

Harold Lauder might not be the series’ most sought-after character; he is a graceless, unattractive teenager with delusions of grandeur and self-righteousness. The Stand series have both had a very liberal interpretation of Harold’s character, when it comes to both age and appearance. However, his trope as a cruel, pimple-faced young man is a relatively outdated one. Will Poulter could add infinite layers to Harold, as he has had his experiences with the geeky teenager (We’re the Millers), but also more sinister roles (Black Mirror) alike.

1 Trashcan Man - Crispin Glover

     Lionsgate Home Entertainment

Some things never change. Crispin Glover has made a name for himself as being one of the zaniest actors in Hollywood, which makes him a perfect candidate for the role of the Trashcan Man. As one of Randall Flagg’s right-hand men, Trashcan Man is a deadly pyromaniac with an intense passion for destruction. He doesn’t have much dialogue, in the novel nor in its adaptations, but he is still easily one of the series’ most memorable characters through his undeniable physical presence and onscreen antics. Crispin Glover would surely make the character scary and his own, as he has proven to do with every role he’s ever landed.